Fake $20s making the rounds

Fort Bragg merchants have reported being paid with fake $20 bills recently, according to the Fort Bragg Police Department, which urges retailers to check the bills before accepting them, and to contact police if they are counterfeit.

The FBPD took two separate reports of counterfeit $20 bills, all of which reportedly had the same serial number: IE48787097B.

The fake bills also had no watermarks or holograms characteristic of authentic $20 bills, and tested fake when marked with a counterfeit-testing pen, according to the FBPD.

"We would like to encourage our local merchants to take an extra second to check any $20 bills they are taking in to see if they are counterfeit," the FBPD stated. "If any are located please contact (police) immediately."

Anyone with information about the person or people who may be passing the counterfeit bills is urged to call the FBPD at 964-0200. Information can be left anonymously on the department's Crime Tip Hotline at 961-3049.